In Memory
Daniel L. Bowlds
July 17, 1953 ~ January 8, 2024 (age 70)
Daniel L. Bowlds, 70, a lifelong resident of South Bend passed away on Monday January 8, 2024 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend.
Daniel was born in South Bend on July 17, 1953 to the late Joseph and Edna (Reisz) Bowlds.
Daniel met and married Connie Jean Miller on January 12, 1974, sharing 43 years of marriage before her passing in 2017.
Together they have two daughters; Desiree (Patrick) Bowlds-Hurtle and Daniela (Michael) Gathright. The also have 6 grandchildren; Michael Gathright, Malcolm Gathright, Izabella Bowlds, Noah Bowlds, Priscilla Bowlds-Hurtle, and Wolfgang Bowlds-Hurtle. Daniel is also survived by one great grandchild; Meliya Gathright, sister; Marie (Michael) Pollex, and brothers; Mark (Terry) Bowlds and John (Deanna) Bowlds.
Daniel was preceded in death by his wife; Connie Bowlds, his parents; Joseph and Edna Bowlds, and his siblings; Sylvia Bowlds, Theresa Bowlds, Joseph Bowlds, and Terence Bowlds.
Daniel was a lifelong resident of South Bend, Indiana. He attended Washington High School and furthered his education at Ivy Tech Community College obtaining his Welding Certification. Which lead him to become a welder at Kelley's Manufacturing (61501 Bremen Hwy. Mishawaka, IN 46544. 35+ years) Coming back and forth from work you hear Daniel leaving/coming. Driving either his 1974 Ford Bronco or 1993 Ford F150 or ride his 2001 Harley Davidson Soft Tail with custom pipes. When Daniel get home from work everyday. You would never see him rest. He get ready to take care of neighbors. Making sure yards are mowed, leaves are picked up, plowed neighbors drive ways and worked on their landscape if a neighbor needed help. Even if it wasn't helping neighbors. He be home listening to music while building/fixing/repairing something, working on cars, the list just goes on what Daniel can accomplish in a day. Daniel kept moving/wanting to help people and keep learning new things. If Daniel couldn't fix things the right way. He would come up with his own idea's to fix things. Daniel started retirement earlier then expected with his loving wife Connie joining him too. But that gave him extra time to help in the neighborhood if needed. Everyday he always found something to do, finding things to keep him busy. Daniel's wife surprised him by bringing home a Chihuahua puppy that they named Peanut. Daniel's wife thought it was time to have a little dog back into their life, due to them having more time now at home. Peanut help keep Daniel and his wife busy everyday getting them out of the house to walk in the neighborhood. Not just one time a day. Up to four times a day. Sadly September 2017 Daniel had to say goodbye to the love of his life/best friend his wife Connie. Daniel had to continue his retirement with out her. Right before she passed Daniel and his wife were just starting to get settle into their retirement by then. When Daniel's wife died, a piece of him went with her. But he kept busy. Only thing that kept him moving his beautiful dog Peanut that his wife got at the start of their retirement together. Peanut was Daniel's life. Daniel's daughter's would joke with their father that he loved Peanut more then he loved his daughters. Daniel laugh. But seriously Peanut was spoiled/fed high quality food/pampered and loved deeply. Daniel continue walking Peanut up to four times a day, everyday same time. Never rarely missed a day. Daniel and Peanut had a special path they do together. His path would always pass his daughters house. He always made sure to do a quick visit and make sure daughters yard was in order. Those two would make their rounds around the neighborhood, visiting with neighbors. Daniel enjoyed getting to know his neighbors and love helping them out. Daniel always tell anybody he meet, "if it wasn't for Peanut after losing his wife he wouldn't know what he would do." When Daniel is out with his daughter. He would make her show pictures of Peanut from her phone to anybody. Peanut continue to keep Daniel going for seven years. Even through when Daniel lost his brother Terry Bowlds in December 2018. Daniel's brother Terry lived in the same neighborhood that Daniel lived in. You always catch Daniel at Terry's house or Terry at Daniel's house. Both of them had a dog, that kept them going in their life. They always made sure to be there for each other. Nothing seem to stop or slow down Daniel. Not even when he had his first major surgery a year ago that almost ended his life right there. He still made sure neighbors were taken care of while having a urine bag attach to his leg. When he started having massive headache's in summer 2023. That lead him to finding out he had brain cancer which came from his lungs. He still was taking care of neighbors yards, getting on roof and even cutting down a tree. After brain surgery, Daniel's daughter would break him out of rehab at dawn and check him back in at dusk. Did he rest? No. He continue to walking Peanut, keep home/yards in order. Only main thing he ask doctor over and over before/after his surgeries, "when can I get on my mower?". Daniel was a homebody that become a vegan and study nutrition. During this time Daniel even quit smoking cold turkey, Daniel was smoking since he was a teenager. Never see Daniel sick, even never caught COVID. Daniel comfort was his home that he lived in for 35 plus years. Aug 2023, Daniel had a new battle he had to fight that would take him out of his comfort zone. Daniel never missed a day to get his chemo/radiation treatment. Daniel's daughters/siblings were so proud of him because they knew how hard it was for him to be taken out of his norm. Especially for a long period of time. Chemo and radiation therapy didn't slow him down either. Things were going good. After Daniel was done with doing chemo/radiation treatment in November 2023, he was able to move to the next step. But it kept being delayed due to insurance issues. Finally over a month of waiting, Daniel got approved and given a date when he will start his immune therapy. Daniel was thrilled with joy calling his daughters and family the great news. It was like a Christmas miracle. If Daniel's daughter's had to pick one word to describe who their dad was? Daniel's daughter's would tell you the word would be "unstoppable". But honestly that is just one word of many words to describe who their dad was. Till then he continue going to doctor's check ups. Sadly Daniel caught COVID. January 8 2024, Daniel Lee Bowlds died. January 8th 2023, was also the date Daniel was post to start his new chapter that he was very happy about. Beside it being a date now that Daniel died on, it also is Elvis's birthday. When Daniel's family see/hear Elvis's name/song. First person they will think about is Daniel. Knowing that Daniel died on Elvis's birthday, makes it more of a beautiful day. Due to Covid and bad weather coming to the South Bend area there will be no services. Daniel wouldn't want to risk anybody's life. Especially COVID that sadly ended Daniel's life. Daniel also hated to be on the roads when its bad out during winter time. Daniel's daughter's could hear him now complaining about it if he had to drive out in it. So daughter's knew their dad wouldn't want friend's and family getting hurt. After Daniel's daughter left his lifeless body at the hospital. She went to her parents house got Peanut while holding her dad's hats/sunglasses walked the path he did everyday in his neighborhood, in memory of her father. But to safely celebrate Daniel Bowlds. The daughter's would love for friends/family on this Friday January 12th 2024 to play "Unchained Melody" By The Righteous Brothers. Fifty years ago on January 12th 1974 Daniel Bowlds said "I Do" to Connie Miller (Bowlds). Every year Connie would remind her daughter's their anniversary. After Connie pass, Daniel continue to remind their daughters about is special day with his wife. Now Daniel and Connie can celebrate with family/friends. Also to help give comfort to friends and family. Knowing Daniel is so happy right now being back with his wife to share that special day together. Please enjoy the photo's of Daniel life that he created and loved. Daniel had an old school mentality in a new age world on how to get SH*T DONE. Daniel was a dying breed in his daughters eyes. Daniel was a man of dedication, completion, strength and will power. Please pick the many words that you would describe Daniel Bowlds. Even if it's not pleasant (Daniel's daughter's smiling while saying that comment. If you know Daniel you'll understand the smile) Daniel had no filter and treatment meds made it 10x worse. Daniel would put his daughter in the must awkward situations. Again the daughter apologize for her dad's behavior (Daniel's daughter saying with a smile). While being caught in the awkward moments, Daniel's daughter tell him to stop. His respond's back, "Desiree I'm a baaaaad man". Daughter's responds back, "no your an ass". Daniel start laughing, then we both start laughing together. Daniel's daughter will cherish this moment forever. He was a pillar in our family, neighborhood and to Bill W’s community. Daniel was very proud of himself being sober for almost four decades. He has helped countless people over his lifetime and will be greatly missed.
Online condolences to the family may be sent via the Palmer Funeral Homes website at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com
12/15/2024 DEC
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